REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 20, 2026
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Revenue Agreement with Omnitrans for Law Enforcement Services
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve revenue agreement with Omnitrans for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to provide law enforcement services for the Omnitrans Passenger Bus System covering the cities and unincorporated County areas in the San Bernardino valley region, for the period of November 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with the option to extend by two additional one-year periods, or one additional two-year period in the amount of $1,946,364 (January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027 only).
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to execute non-substantive amendments to the revenue agreement with Omnitrans, including revisions to Schedule A for fiscal year 2027-28, to update the cost of service based on the Board of Supervisors approved Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s budget for 2027-28, subject to review by County Counsel.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit any executed non-substantive amendments, including revisions to Schedule A to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
4. Authorize the addition of the following eleven new regular positions effective January 1, 2027, needed to fulfill contract law enforcement service levels requested by Omnitrans:
a. Six Deputy Sheriff positions, Safety Unit, R16 (each $80,641.60 - $133,286.40 annually).
b. One Sheriff’s Corporal/Detective position, Safety Unit, R19 ($98,238.40 - $147,118.40 annually).
c. One Sheriff’s Sergeant position, Safety Management and Supervisory Unit, R25 ($115,648 - $171,704 annually).
d. One Lead Sheriff’s Communication Dispatcher position, Technical & Inspection Unit, R56C ($74,963.20 - $105,622.40 annually).
e. One Staff Analyst II position, Administrative Services Unit, R56 ($73,694.40 - $103,792 annually).
f. One Law & Justice Office Specialist position, Clerical Unit, R38 ($47,486.40 - $66,851.20 annually).
5. Approve the purchase of the two safety vehicles, as unbudgeted fixed assets, at a cost of $43,851 each, for a total cost of $87,702.
6. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post adjustments to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s 2026-27 budget, as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Carolina Mendoza, Chief Deputy Director, 387-0640)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Operate in a Fiscally-Responsible and Business-Like Manner.
Foster Sustainable Development Through Strategic Partnerships.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The proposed revenue agreement (Agreement) provides revenue for fiscal year 2026-27 in the estimated amount of $1,946,364 (January 1, 2027 to June 30, 2027 only), which includes recovery of both direct and indirect costs of the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) to providing law enforcement services for the Omnitrans bus system covering the cities and unincorporated areas in the San Bernardino Valley region. Sufficient appropriation and revenue will be included in future recommended budgets.
The Department requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post the following adjustments to the 2026-27 budget:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4430001000 |
51001010 |
Regular Salary |
Increase |
$1,457,124 |
|
4430001000 |
52002000 |
Operating Expenses - Services and Supplies |
Increase |
$401,538 |
|
4430001000 |
54504050 |
Vehicles |
Increase |
$87,702 |
|
4430001000 |
40709565 |
Law Enforcement Services |
Increase |
$1,946,364 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Omnitrans is a public transit agency serving 15 cities and portions of unincorporated County areas in the San Bernardino Valley, providing local and express bus routes, sbX bus rapid transit service and Access, a paratransit service for the disabled. Omnitrans requested a long-term agreement for the provision of law enforcement services for the period of November 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, with the option to extend the agreement by two additional one-year periods, or one additional two-year period. The months of November and December 2026 will be used by the Department for activities such as, but not limited to, the selection of personnel, and provision of the vehicles to be assigned to this Agreement in preparation to start service on January 1, 2027. This Agreement is beneficial to both Omnitrans and the County as having a dedicated law enforcement presence will increase public safety on the Omnitrans’ passenger bus transit system.
The recommended Agreement includes an annual review of the information listed in the Agreement’s Schedule A, which reflects the costs of service, to ensure proper cost recovery by the County. Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Department to revise and execute amendments to Schedule A, subject to review by County Counsel, to reflect future costs as per the Department’s budget, and approved by the Board for 2027-28.
The Agreement requires the assignment of one Sheriff’s Sergeant, one Sheriff’s Corporal/Detective, six Deputy Sheriffs, one Lead Sheriff’s Communication Dispatcher, one Staff Analyst II and one Law & Justice Office Specialist. The necessary new positions are typically requested outside the annual budget process. Approval of Recommendation No. 4 will expedite the hiring process to meet the requested service levels and allow the Department to provide services. In the event of a reduction to the level of service for the Agreement, incumbent staff will be reassigned to existing vacant positions within the Department. Approval of Recommendation No. 5 will allow for the acquisition of two patrol vehicles necessary for assigned staff to deliver the contracted services to Omnitrans. All of the Department’s law enforcement services contracts provide for termination by either party upon one-year advance written notice.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Cynthia O’Neill, Chief Assistant County Counsel; and Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 29, 2026; Human Resources (Jose Mancilla, Division Chief, 387-5787) on September 29, 2026; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on September 29, 2026; and County Finance and Administration (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on October 5, 2026.